Tucked away on the far west side of Beijing lies the magnificent Shangri-La Hotel where 42 Chaîne members and guests partook in a glorious feast fit for Emperors and Empresses. Guests joined us from Switzerland, Hong Kong, and from the newest local Bailliage of Nanning in China.

On entering the hotel we were escorted to the Garden Terrace to be serenaded with live music and lulled by the setting sun. The garden had elements of China’s famed Summer Palace with a babbling stream nearby and ancient oriental architecture. Servers dressed in imperial costumes offered us champagne, passion fruit mojitos, and three canapés: beetroot and goat’s cheese; eel sushi; Chinese roasted duck.

After cocktails we moved to Restaurant Azur where the table centrepieces were miniature imperial gardens.

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Tuna
spring roll, soya beans, Savoy cabbage
Champagne Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin “Yellow Label” NV

Brittany blue lobster
tempura, green pea, truffle aioli
Skyline Chardonnay Reserve 2016 - Xinjiang, China

Foie gras
yuzu, carrot, tau min sprouts
Alsace Gewurztraminer 2015 - Domaine Leon Beyer

Halibut
Japanese curry, honey apple, shitake dust, bamboo charcoal
Alsace Riesling Reserve 2015 - Domaine Meyer Fonne

Fermented black garlic sorbet

Wagyu 9+ beef
red cabbage puree, blueberry, cauliflower, black truffle salad
Crozes-Hermitage, Domaine de Thalabert 2012
Paul Jaboulet Aîné, Rhône Valley

Braised peach
star anise, crème Chantilly
Sauternes 2002 - Château Rayne-Vigneau

Mignardises

The menu symbolized a figurative and literal fusion of Asian and Western cuisines. It was a collaboration of chefs from each of the three restaurants based within the Shangri-La, namely Japanese, Chinese, and French.

The wine pairings were perfect in that they also reflected a beautiful blend of East meets West. This elegant balance reached its climax with the dessert course.

After dinner everyone returned to the garden where drinks, cigars, and camaraderie filled the summer night.

Viva la Chaîne!

Preston Thomas
Acting Vice-Chargé de Presse